Ryan Phillippe

Ryan Phillippe first gained attention for his groundbreaking role as daytime television's first openly gay male teen on "One Life to Live" (ABC, 1968-2012). By the end of the 1990s, he had become one of the hottest stars on the twenty-something radar. Teen-oriented hits like "I Know What You Did Last Summer" (1997) and "Cruel Intentions" (1999) gave the chiseled blond actor instant box office cred, but he wisely tempered the multiplex hits with strong performances in smart fare like "Gosford Park" (2001), "The Way of the Gun" (2000), and "Igby Goes Down" (2002), assuring himself a wider range of opportunities and a promising future. Phillippe also provided impressive turns in the dramas "Stop-Loss" (2008) and "Breach" (2007), as well as the comedy "MacGruber" (2010) and the drama "The Lincoln Lawyer" (2011). Although he settled into a comfortable career as a character actor following his initial wave of stardom, thanks to strong performances in a wide array of roles, Phillippe remained a popular performer in demand by both Hollywood and audiences alike.